THE restored Wiveliscombe to Wellington bus has arrived for the first run of a new service between the towns.

The number 27 bus appeared on Wellington’s High Street ten minutes behind schedule on Tuesday, April 22, welcomed by a number of local supporters for the long-awaited service.

Welly-Wivey campaigner, Richard Mackrory, said: “I think it’s really good because a few months ago it didn’t look as though it would happen.

“The people at Wiveliscombe have put in a great amount of work as well, alongside Cllr Dave Mansell.”

The new service is now running twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between Wiveliscombe and Wellington, with stops at Milverton, Spring Grove Cross, Langford Common Road, Langford Budville, and Tonedale in between the two.

Onboard the 14 to 23 seater minibus, users can request stops onboard, and along the route, there will be a ‘hail and ride’ service in safe places. The £3 fare cap and normal concessionary travel applies.

The restored number 27 bus is part of a package of improvements to bus services across the county funded by a £6 million Government grant.

Somerset's Bus Service Improvement Plan will also see continuing support for evening buses on the Number 22 route to Wellington and the Number 28 for Minehead, and continued backing for a Number 14 Cannington to Bridgwater bus. Other routes where improvements are planned include the Number 25 service from Dulverton to Taunton, and Number 26 bus from Dulverton to Wiveliscombe.

The roll out of digital demand responsive transport will continue with the Slinky bus services in Wellington and Sedgemoor.

Park and ride fares in Taunton will remain £1 for a single journey and work will continue on Taunton’s transport hub on the site of the former bus station in Castle Way.